1. education

Namibia Training Authority
October 2014
Keeping you abreast of developments in the Vocational Education and Training sector
NTA & ProVET
CERTIFY 18
AGRICULTURE
TRAINERS
The Namibia Training Authority in collaboration
with its Promotion of Vocational Education and
Training Project (ProVET), handed over
certificates to 18 agricultural trainers who have
successfully completed a Level 5 course in
“Occupationally Directed Education, Training
and Development Practices”, at a ceremony held
at the Roof of Africa Conference Centre on the
31st October 2014.
In his remarks, NTA Chief Operations Officer,
Jerry Beukes highlighted the NTA’s responsibility
as a State-owned enterprise to support the
realisation of the Government’s macro-economic
development goals as encapsulated in Vision 2030
and the Fourth National Development Plan.
“We have embarked on a number of key training
and skills development initiatives in support of
the agriculture sector and we will continue to
grow opportunities for our people to participate
in professional education programmes for
agriculture, and for farm labourers to enrol for
short courses”, Beukes stressed.
Beukes also highlighted the fact that apart from
the course offerings at institutions of higher
learning, training in agriculture in Namibia
currently only comprised of a few informal short
courses and that so far, no accredited vocational
training for agriculture existed at the lower levels.
He said the NTA viewed the certification of the
trainers as a step in the right direction towards
meeting expectations to develop VET courses
based on recognised unit standards for the
agriculture and forestry sectors at Levels 2 to 5 on
the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
PICTURE FOCUS:
ProVET Agricultural
Trainer Certification
Ceremony - Page 5
CONGRATULATIONS!
NTA COO, Jerry Beukes, Country Desk
Officer of the German Federal Ministry for
Economic Cooperation, Judith Schwethelm
and the NTA’s Annamarie SchallerNangolo at the certification ceremony.
In her message, on behalf of the Ministry of
Agriculture and Forestry, Deputy Director,
Johanna Andowa, applauded the participants
for their commitment, dedication and hard
work. “I know you have spent sleepless
nights in order to meet deadlines for the
assignments, while you still had to make sure
that work at the office did not suffer”,
Andowa told the proud trainers, the majority
of whom are in full-time employment.
In This Edition
Page 2 Nationwide CBET Model
Engagements
Page 3 The African Hospitality and
Tourism Training Centre
Page 4 Post & Telecommunications
ISC – Taking the Lead
Page 6 NTA Participates in 2014
WFCP World Congress
Page 6 Stakeholder Diary
On her part, the representative of the
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Annegret Al-Janabi
highlighted the importance of education
excellence. “From our own experience in
Germany, we are aware of the importance of
a good Vocational Education and Training
system to ensure productivity, specifically for
small and medium enterprises, which are the
backbone of the German economy.”
The intensive eight-month course was
offered and facilitated by the South Africanbased training provider, VeryCoolIdeas.
Namibia Training Authority
Rand Street, Khomasdal, Windhoek
Tel: 061-2078550 Fax: 061-2078551
www.nta.com.na
NATIONWIDE ENGAGEMENT TO
REVIEW CBET APPROACH
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Over ninety representatives of industry, community
organisations and private and public training providers
gathered at NTA Village on Thursday, 17th October
2014, to receive a report from TEN (Pty) Ltd on the
review of Competency-Based Education and Training
(CBET) in the VET system in Namibia. This meeting
was one of a series conducted at major centres across
the nation.
Earlier this year TEN (Pty) Ltd, a Namibian education
and training consultancy company, was appointed by
the NTA to review the status of CBET implementation
in the VET sector; identify the factors inhibiting CBET
CBET ENGAGEMENT:
implementation and produce a proposal for a reformed
TEN Pty Ltd Consultant and
model and implementation plan for CBET that best
Australian VET Expert, Rob
fits the VET system in Namibia. TEN (Pty) Ltd has
Stowell facilitating a session at
met with stakeholders across the country and has
NTA Village Hall in the capital.
produced a detailed Issues and Options Paper that
sets out the key factors impacting on CBET and a
series of proposals for reforming the current arrangements.
While proposing important reforms, such as decentralising the assessment system, the
introduction of compulsory job attachment for trainees and the inclusion of technical,
occupationally specific Mathematics, Science and English in all VET qualifications, the consultants
argued that there is no compelling reason for a major shift in direction in relation to CBET,
especially regarding the use of unit standards-based qualifications, the promotion of Recognition
of Prior Learning and the development of qualifications pathways that provide multiple entry and
exit points for learners.
The reformed CBET model, which was discussed at the workshops, incorporates all of the
features of a modern competency-based training system; is clearly aligned with the National
Qualifications Framework and takes into account the reforms that have recently been announced
to Basic Education. Once implemented, the reformed CBET model should ensure that more
Namibians have access to high quality, industry-supported Vocational Education and Training.
Copies of the Issues and Options Paper, which includes a draft version of the reformed CBET
model, and the presentation provided by TEN (Pty) Ltd are available on the following websites:
www.nta.com.na and www.ten-namibia.org
This month, The
Stakeholder paid a
visit to Ian
Gicheru, who
heads the NTA’s
Quality Assurance
Division to find
out what makes
this energetic and
soft-spoken
gentleman tick.
Spring 2016
FROM
THE
ACTING
CEO’S
DESK
Greetings!
The effectiveness of the NTA’s global
partnerships once again came under the
spotlight during our organisation’s recent
participation at the 2014 Congress of the World
Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics in
Beijing, China.
International conferences, such as the WFCP,
provide our delegates with an opportunity to
interact with peers in the international VET
arena and enjoy exposure to successful
international VET institutional best practice
and leadership.
By considering the experiences of other
countries,
canipsum
also gain immense
Nullamweac
gravidainsight
sem
into gaps and inefficiencies that exist in our
placerat
suscipit.
own organisational
approaches,
processes,
policies, methodologies and technologies.
The NTA needs to consider the role of solid
global connections in enhancing the high
performance of our organisation and in the
eventual success of our graduates, who will live
and work in a 21st century global economy.
Doing so, can help us to support and add
further value to current and future efforts to
establish an efficient organisation and a viable
and sustainable VET regime for our country.
Yours in Vocational Education and Training,
Ester Anna Nghipondoka
1.
What do you value most in life? Wel, a couple of things! Good health and a sound mind, my relationship with
God, creating and maintaining good relationships with others and working hard to achieve goals, whether personal or
as part of a team.
2.
Who is Ian Gicheru? A simple and hardworking man who likes helping out where he can. I appreciate a healthy
balance - Not only do I work hard, I also play hard. I consider myself easy to work with and flexible enough to adapt
to any environment. But hey, don’t take my word for it, experience it yourself.
3.
What do you do after a long day of hard work? It depends on the mood and the situation. I can sit and relax
enjoying a few beverages with friends and dream, or I can enjoy a great movie at home. I also play drums or the bass
guitar. Yes, I can play instruments.
4.
You are one of the NTA’s longest-serving employees. Where do you want to see the NTA after five years?
I believe the NTA has made significant strides over recent years However, we still have a long way to go in
establishing a fully operational organisation supported by highly motivated and skilled individuals, passionate about
skills development. I want to see an organisation driven by technology in the successful application of its core
functions. An organisation which is a friend of industry and a champion of trainees. An organisation which above all
things considers the growth and development of its own employees as a top priority. An organisation which is ranked
as one of the best employers in Namibia.
5.
Share with us that innermost desire and dream? Now that’s a bit too close for comfort. I’m keeping those to
myself!
2
Spring 2016
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK:
AFRICAN HOSPITALITY & TOURISM CENTRE
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The Namibia Training Authority is making strong inroads
in growing the list of training institutions, now registered
as per the gazetted requirements set out in the Regulations
for the Registration of Vocational Education and Training
Providers.
best possible quality of services, being highly responsive and proactive
to the needs of the industry and our general clientele, and by
developing and sustaining efficient operating standards. We want to
excel in the provision of world class training services in an
environment that is rewarding for our employees, and in so doing,
make a positive contribution to the communities we operate in.
One such entity is the African Hospitality and Tourism
Centre, whose application was recently formally approved
by the Standards, Assessment and Certification Council.
Our strategic endeavour is based on the values of reliability, patriotism,
integrity, professionalism, service, quality and social responsibility.
SH: Do you have any other course offerings? Any plans for the
future to broaden your scope?
The Stakeholder caught up with the owner, Eude Heita
Kambuta, to tell us more about this establishment.
Other than the National Vocational Certificate in Hospitality and
Tourism on NQF Levels 2 to 4, we offer various short courses,
ranging from Effective Food Handling, Etiquette and Grooming to
Customer Service.
SH: Tell us more about the African Hospitality and Tourism
Training Centre.
We are also making good progress towards offering short courses in
other areas. Future programmes may include Air Hostess, Tour Guide
and Office Administration, to mention a few.
The centre is a subsidiary of the African Hospitality and Tourism Closed
Corporation. It provides National Vocational Education Training
Certificate training programmes on Levels 2 to 4 on the National
Qualifications Framework. We are located in the Council of Churches
(CCN) Building in Abraham Mashego Street, Maroela, Katutura.
SH: How did you experience the registration process and what is
your advice to other applicants who also want to register as
training institutions with the NTA?
We are aspiring to become a leader in the field of Vocational Education
and Training in the Hospitality and Tourism sector, through the
provision and delivery of excellent and high quality training services,
through our dedicated staff.
Initially, I found the process to be very challenging. However, I
realised that the NTA has an obligation to ensure that key quality
assurance requirements are met and that I as an applicant had to work
with them to ensure that I met those requirements.
SH: Why the decision to establish the African Hospitality and
Tourism Training Centre?
Hard work comes before achievement and I had to pull out all stops to
ensure that I lived up to expectations. Of course, the professionalism
and commitment of the NTA’s Quality Assurance Division was top
class and made my application a positive experience. The Quality
Assurance Auditor, Francis Mutonga, was very helpful in this regard.
Hospitality and Tourism training has always been my passion and it has
been the core of my career. I have worked for well-known players in the
sector for more than ten years and it has helped me to set and maintain
operational and service standards in all aspects of training in this sector,
including food and beverages, housekeeping, front office management,
sales and marketing.
SH: What would you say make your centre different from others
in the Hospitality and Tourism sector? What is your competitive
edge?
Amongst others, I hold a Bachelors Degree in Hospitality Management
from the Polytechnic of Namibia, which I have supplemented with a
range of other qualifications, including a Higher National Diploma in
Hospitality and Tourism Management, a National Diploma in Hospitality
and Tourism Management and a Diploma in Further Education from
Bulawayo Polytechnic in Zimbabwe. I am currently pursuing my
Honour’s Degree in Adult Education at the University of Namibia.
The Hospitality and Tourism sector is a big and fast growing sector.
However, the sector has been hampered by poor funding and a lack of
expertise, which in turn has resulted in a serious lack of quality training
opportunities.
We are a 100% Namibian-owned institute. Not only do we deliver
training in our own lecture rooms, but we are also flexible to deliver
training onsite anywhere in Namibia. We pride ourselves in our
uniqueness and we offer courses that fit individual style, budget and
schedule.
My passion has driven me to establish the centre as I always wanted to
share me experience and expertise with other young Namibians
passionate about careers in the hospitality sector.
The African Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre is a 100%
Namibian-owned business.
Participate in our monthly e-newsletter!
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[email protected]
www.nta.com.na
SH: As a new centre, where do you see yourself ten years down the
line? What is your mission?
I want to see the African Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre as a
leading Namibian training provider of national vocational Hospitality
and Tourism training programmes. Our centre strives to offer the
3
Lorem Ipsum Dolor
The
Post and Telecommunications ISCTaking the Lead
The Post and Telecommunications
Industry Skills Committee (ISC) is
making strong inroads in
establishing itself as a key partner in
the generation of industry
intelligence to support demand-led
training opportunities in this sector. 3.
The Stakeholder caught up with the
Chairperson, Jessica Moore (photo),
to tell us more about the ISC’s
work and activities.
SH: What are the major challenges the ISC
is facing?
Our biggest challenge has been to define our
stakeholders, who are becoming more
complicated with time. We are not an ISC for
the Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) sector, yet the very nature of
our industry is very focused on ICT. They all
have very similar underlying requirements in
terms of vocational training in a related field,
but very vast and unique differences in others.
4.
SH: What is the purpose of the Post and
Telecommunication ISC?
The ISC assists the Board of the NTA
through providing guidance and advice on
current and future skills needs in our
industry sector and in overseeing the
development of a Sector Skills Plan (SSP).
We also recommend priorities for skills
development to the NTA Board and offer
advice on the quantity and quality of training
provision within our sector, based on labour
market intelligence and other relevant data.
Other key responsibilities include raising
awareness amongst employers of the value of
registered and accredited training and
overseeing the development and continuous
updating of unit standards, qualifications and
materials for training programmes in our
industry sector, for approval by the
Standards, Assessment and Certification
Council (SACC).
6.
SH: In your opinion, is the ISC living up
to expectations?
SH: How can stakeholders in the Post and
Telecommunications sector get involved
with the work of the ISC?
Stakeholders can get involved in a number of
ways. Firstly, the ISC tasked the NTA to
develop a Sector Skills Plan for our industry
sector to guide the work of the ISC. It is
important to highlight that the SSPs are
informed by data that provided by the industry.
Therefore, it is important that employers
provide the NTA with information that is
needed to develop the Sector Skills Plan.
Secondly, once the priorities are identified and
approved by the NTA Board, the NTA has to
develop standards (Unit Standards, Curricula,
and Assessment Tools) and qualifications. The
ISC will establish the Technical Working
Groups to develop the required standards. To
ensure that the unit standards address the
needs of the industry, it is important that
employers nominate and release employees
with the technical knowledge to develop the
standards.
Thirdly, in line with the responsibility of
advising the NTA Board on the quantity and
quality of training provision within the sector
based of labour market intelligence and other
relevant data, industry will be required to
release subject matter experts to audit training
institutions.
4
SH: Tell us about yourSpring
ISC’s Sector
2016
Skills Plan?
Sector skills planning is a relatively new
process for Namibia. It is an inclusive and
stakeholder-driven process which adopts a
developmental approach towards building
institutional and people capacities. In
essence, Sector Skills Plans are “roadmaps”
developed by stakeholders, including
employer bodies, labour unions, training
providers and government departments and
support agencies in a specific economic
sector, aimed at analysing the labour
market, developing a skilled workforce,
creating career pathways, promoting
employment opportunities, facilitating
industry clusters and improving the
competitiveness of enterprises.
The Post and Telecommunications ISC is still
fairly new and is going through some growing
pains. However, despite the teething problems,
we are slowly but surely gaining momentum.
Our membership has grown, we understand
our roles better and we are geared towards
making an impact in our sector.
Part of our job now is to ensure we get the
right representation on this ISC for various
industries, but we can only do so once we have
clarified the composition of our ISC and in the
process ensure that we did not exclude
anybody in this very big sector and align
ourselves with the appropriate fora.
5.
1.
The NTA needs authoritative, consistent
and comparable labour market data to
inform its VET policy choices. The SSPs
reduce funding inefficiencies, outline
priority areas, streamline projects and braid
disparate funding streams. We are confident
that the SSP for our sector will indeed meet
expectations. A first draft has been
developed and should be ready for
validation in November 2014.
2.
SH: Are you happy with the
participation of roleplayers in the Post
and Telecommunications sector in the
ISC’s activities?
Active participation of roleplayers is indeed
a big challenge. For example, the NTA is
currently developing a Sector Skills Plan to
guide the work of the ISC for the next five
years. Invitations were extended to key
employers to attend workshops aimed at
providing inputs to the development of the
SSP. Attendance was very poor. Similarly,
an invitation to industry roleplayers in our
sector to participate in workshops to
discuss the disbursement of in-company
training grants under the VET Levy was
also not well attended.
Roleplayers in all industry sectors need to
appreciate what the NTA is doing in
addressing the skills gap and to partner the
NTA in its endeavour. The lack of industry
participation affects the quality of data on
which the ISCs and the NTA rely in the
development of demand-driven training
interventions.
Jessica Moore is the Manager:
Employee Development at local
cellular service provider, MTC.
Send her your comments at
[email protected]
0811002167
PICTURE FOCUS
ProVET Agricultural Trainer Certification Ceremony
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LEAD HOST:
ProVET Team Leader,
Marijke Overeem facilitated
the proceedings.
KEYNOTE
SPEAKER: GIZ
Representative,
Annegret Al-Janabi.
PROUD AND CERTIFIED TRAINERS: The 18 newly certified trainers
posing for a group picture with the course facilitators from VeryCoolIdeas.
A PROUD MOMENT: Newly certified
Agricultural Trainer, Basil van Rooyen
receives his certificate from COO, Jerry
Beukes and German Country Desk
Officer, Judith Schwethelm.
Spring 2016
VET ELOQUENCE
NTA COO, Jerry Beukes
delivered an inspiring speech
calling on the trainers to
remain true to their passion
for agriculture.
TOAST TO SUCCESS: Assessment
Manager, Mariane Hara-Gaes congratulated
the group on their achievement.
KEY PARTNER:
Agriculture Ministry
Deputy Director, Johanna
Andowa also offered a
word of congratulations!
PROUD TRAINERS: The team from
VeryCoolIdeas flew all the way from
Johannesburg to share in the moment.
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AND HAVE THEM
PUBLISHED IN OUR
E-NEWSLETTER!
[email protected]
NTA PRIDE:
Assessment Officer,
Fiona Anderson was
one of the proud
candidates who
completed the course.
A PROUD MOMENT: Agribank
Mentor, Bayer Olivier was another proud
recipient. Here he is with COO, Jerry
Beukes and German Country Desk
Officer, Judith Schwethelm.
ZEBRA AGRICULTURE:
Two proud female trainers from
the Agriculture Ministry celebrate
their achievement.
5
NTA Participates at Annual World Federation of
Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) Conference
A delegation, under the leadership of the Chief Operations
Officer, Jerry Beukes, attended the 2014 WFCP World Congress
in Beijing, China from 24-26 October 2014.
“Quality comes first. The
participating countries at
the conference seemed to
agree that prior to
embarking on major upscaling initiatives, such as
our own VET Expansion
Plan, issues pertaining to
the quality of course
offerings and service
delivery need to be
addressed first”, he said.
The conference took place under the theme, “Global
Partnerships – Building A Better Future”, and had as a broader
objective the opening of doors for international VET
partnerships, exchange and collaboration between participating
institutions and brought together over 800 delegates to discuss
current topics, trends and developments in the VET sector.
Other objectives included the generation of exposure for
participating institutions to international training standards,
expertise and best practice; discovering the competency-based
training curriculum; learning more about student assessment and
quality assurance; and drawing inspiration from innovations in
technologies, facilities, equipment and services.
Approached for comment, Beukes highlighted the importance of
international conferences, saying it provided delegates with an
opportunity to tap into international experiences in improving the
quality of our own service offerings. “We are not alone in the
transformation of our system. We found that the majority of countries
are going through similar transformation processes to address concerns
relating to quality, capacity and the capabilities of VET trainers”, he
stressed.
Beukes also underlined quality as another key consideration in support
of improved international partnerships for the NTA.
He also stressed the
increasingly important role
autonomous industry
intelligence bodies play in
the success of other VET
systems and in ensuring
quality demand-led
training service delivery. “Perhaps the NTA needs to revisit the mandates of
its ISCs and invest in the capacity building of members”, Beukes added.
VET IN CHINA:, Policy and Planning
Manager, Ernst Mbangula, PR and Stakeholder
Engagement Manager, Mornay Louw and
Quality Assurance Manager, Ian Gicheru made
up the rest of the NTA delegation.
The WFCP is an international network of institutions and national and subregional associations. Members share leading-edge education strategies and
best practices to increase workforce employability, influence collectively the
development of policy and generate access to information and experience. It
also serves as a platform to connect institutions with key stakeholders in the
skills landscape including employers, industry and donors.
•
•
•
12 November 2014
Wholesale and Retail & Hospitality and Tourism
Sector Skills Plan Consultation Meetings
13 November 2014
Post and Telecommunications Sector Skills Plan
Consultation Meeting
•
•
14 November 2014
Health Care and Social Services Sector Skills Plan
Consultation Meeting
18 November 2014
Tender Closing Date – Lease of NTA Kitchen Facilities
24 November 2014
Valombola VTC Aptitude Testing Week
All VET Levy registered employers!
A friendly reminder that your investment in the VET Levy for October 2014 is due on or
before the 20th of November 2014! Pay before the deadline to avoid penalties and interest!
NOVEMBER 2014
For further information, contact us at Toll-free Number: 0800 2078 550, [email protected]